The Reformer

IWD: Why proportional representation can be a driving force for political equality

A driving force for most people who believe in electoral reform is the belief that seats should match votes and...

STV has made Australian politics better wherever it is used

The Single Transferable Vote means every vote counts in New South Wales’ local elections

In the closing days of 2021, I braved the scorch of the blistering Australian summer sun, walking through the streets...

other countries have powerful regional representatives, Britain remains the odd-one-out

How are the members of upper houses chosen around the world?

Many countries use a bicameral political system – meaning that they have two chambers in their parliament. These parliaments are...

There are many ways party leaders and prime ministers are chosen across Europe

How are Prime Ministers chosen around the world?

With pressure mounting on Boris Johnson, it’s looking increasingly possible that Britain could well soon have a new Prime Minister....

Tin of Paint

Not what it says on the tin: 8 political parties that could do with a name change

There are some parties you come across where there is a total disconnect between the name and the party. Names...

2022 is a big year for presidential elections in Europe

How are Presidents elected around Europe?

2022 is a big year for presidential elections in Europe – with the Italian, German and French presidencies all open...

A tram in portugal

As Portugal heads to the polls – how do Portuguese elections work?

Portugal is holding a snap election at the end of the month after parliament rejected the budget proposed by António...

The smaller the constituency, the less proportional the results

What is the ideal number of MPs per constituency in proportional representation?

When choosing a proportional voting system, one of the most important decisions is the number of MPs each constituency elects...

This election marks the fifth change in Germany’s head of government in the last 50 years

Germany’s 2021 election: How Germans vote

This Sunday (26th March), Germany goes to the polls to elect its national parliament – the Bundestag. With Angela Merkel...

This is the fourth post-war Canadian election and second in a row with a wrong winner

First Past the Post has failed to give the most popular Canadian party the most seats

Minority government on 32% of the vote is one thing, but it is another when it isn’t even the most...

100 years since Norwegians elected their first proportional parliament

How do elections work in Norway?

Like most European countries, Norway first adopted proportional representation in the early 20th century, with this October representing 100 years...

Polling Station

Barriers to entry: How do electoral thresholds work?

A common feature of many Party List PR systems is an electoral threshold – a pre-set bar that parties have...